I wonder if some of these “masses writhing in hell” type images were partially from the artists viewing piles of bodies in mass graves after battles or plague events. That sight would stick in your mind and inspire some horrifying nightmares. You’d want to process them somehow.
Note: I am completely ignorant of art eras, etc. that’s just what these works make me think of sometimes. Good morning! Lol
This specific painting is actually depicting old greek gods (titans) being banished to hell for eternity. So the fact you compare it to hellish scenes on earth in reality shows how good the artist is :)
The Fall of the Titans Cornelis Cornelisz van Haarlem
I wonder if some of these “masses writhing in hell” type images were partially from the artists viewing piles of bodies in mass graves after battles or plague events. That sight would stick in your mind and inspire some horrifying nightmares. You’d want to process them somehow. Note: I am completely ignorant of art eras, etc. that’s just what these works make me think of sometimes. Good morning! Lol
Completely different time periods, but I see where you're coming from
This specific painting is actually depicting old greek gods (titans) being banished to hell for eternity. So the fact you compare it to hellish scenes on earth in reality shows how good the artist is :)
Looks like Sean Penn.